davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30
THE APIARY.
Something Ne,v .4bo,.. Bees.

Something Netv About Bees.
At a recent meeting of the Royal Micro
scopical Society, Mr.. F. r. Cheshire called
attention to some specimens of bees known
as fertile workers." It was generally
we'll known that in the bee hive all the
eggs were usually laid by the queen, and
in her absence no ovipositing occurs until
ing in the hive, and by special feeding
of the Larvae have been able to produce
fresh queens. If, however, it should hap
pen that in hive which has lost its queen
there are not eggs available for this pur-
pose, it was found that some OF the work.
ers under some special circumstances,
which could not be clearly explained. be-
come capable of laying eggs, but such
eggs produce drones only. These bees are
known as fertile workers, and, though
there can be no doubt as 10 their frequent
existence, they ere very difficult to catch,
owing to their being the same in appear
ance as the ordinary workers. He then
exhibited two Of these fertile workers hav
ing the ovaries drawn out of their bodies
and attached to the strings and abdominal
plates, SO as to show that they are really
workers. There WAS remarkable pecu-
liarity to be observed in connection with the
ovarian tubes of these insects-every ordi-
nary worker possessed an undeseloped
ovary which it was very difficult both to
detect and dissect; but when under the in
Auence of some stimulus the worker be-
came fertile, number Of. points began to
appear in the tubes which afterward be-
came developed, and it would seem that
the eggs we're developed in alienation
with others in an undeyeloped condition,
and of which some very curious instances
were seen in the specimens before the
meetirp
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30
HOME, FARM, AND GARDEN.
Talks with the Farmer, 0rchardist,
Stock Breeder, Poulterer, and
Housekeeper.
Hints On House Decorations, Kitchen
Economy, and the Preserya-
ton Of Health.
THE FARM.
Apparatus c,.,.,.re.

Ao1UVWUWS CWNWT6s
The most economical way Of getting a
bed, is TO buy and SOW the seed in the
spring or fall, but it takes one or two years
longer for the roots to become strong
enough to bear cutting.
Seed can be bought for SO or IS cents
per pound, and one pound will grow enough
plants to set two or three acres. Plants
ordered of the nurseryman will cost about
500 per hundred.
II the seed is planted SOW on light, sandy,
we'll drained, rich soil, in drills two feet
apart and one inch deep, allowing the
plants to stand about three inches apart in
each row. II we'll cared for and the soil is
fertlless these plants can be transplanted
after one years growth in the seed bed, but
are better to remain two years.
When making plantation, either with
home grown'plants or with those got from
Q nurseryman, it should be borne in mind
that 1t is fixture for number of years,
and hence calls for good work. It is not
necessary to go to the trouble though es-
eentiai years ago, when the gardener I'M
derlaid the bed with layer Of brick, stone,
oyster shells, ETC., with the idea ss was
thought, of preventing the roots going too
deeply. The soil must, however, be we'll
drained, light and warm, for one Of the
chief points Of excellency of this vege-
table is it's earliness, and hence must not
have cold heavy clay, and as the plant is
strong feeder and is to remain for many
years in the ground, the soil will need be
we'll supplied with plant food at the time
Of planting, and eachye thereafter. The
fertility also aids in forcing the plants early
In the spring.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30

husband husband, left her pleasant home N
ne I'VE" YORK and moved to Missouri Al
me breaking out of the war Poi1v H.,
found herself surrounded on ali hand
by Southern sympathizers. bnt a's shs
ciung untlinchingly to the Union. Az
her husband was away from i bom ns
much Of the time, her position was J NOT
IN envlable one. Many threats were
a amaze st asaast her. bqt As her courage
she had received no harm.
Among the many comforts with
wnlch they were surrounded in their
new home were several swarms Of
bees ness, and q in them Polly took great
ing across the prairie, Polly saw a
sight which would have struck terror
to less brave heart than hers. Gal
Looping directly toward her door was q
company con any OF Confederate cavalry. As
nearer, she stepped calmly ont 81
doors, and when they arrived was
busying herself about the yard.
The leader drew rein within a few
feet Of her, and gruffly commanded he,
to aGit out what grub you've got, and
tell where that husband of yourn Is. u
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30

rode up to alarge farm house that
ABOUT one hundred yards from the
road. We had to open a gate and ride
up narrow lane, and as We nearei
me house one of the boys, by the name
OF Knight, discovered several stands Of
nees in the orchard front Of the house.
There appeared to be no men about
the place; but there were three women
sitting in the front room. Knight
walked up to the door and politely
asked them if they had any butter and
milk on the place. The women were
Confederates to the core, and they in
formed Knight in no very gentle words
that they had none for him, or any
other internal Yank." This made
Knight angry, and, turning to the
noys who were waiting outside
the gate. his eye caught sight Of the
bee stands, and he proposed that they
have some honey for supper. They all
agreed. while the women vigorously
objected. But how to get it was the
question, as We all knew that bees will
tight for their rights; but knight said
he was an old bee-hunter and could
manage that. Said he, sYou boys open
the gate so that can get through. and
then get back out of the way and 1 will
throw the stand on my shoulder with
the bottom toward the house. The
bees will all fly out and go back where
the stand SITS" We did as directed.
and then the funscommenced. Knight
grabbed the stand and threw it on his
shoulder and started to run. But the
bees didn't seem to want to do as he
said they would. Instead of going
back where the stand sat they filled the
air and swarmed over knight, who ran
as he never ran before. The rest of us
were too much occupied with him to
think of our own safety until it was too
late. for Knight ran toward us, and,
with a yell like Comanche Indian.
dropped the stand within ten steps of
where we were sitting on our horses.
Then commenced scene that beggars
description. Men cursing, horses run
ming, and the women screaming for
JEFF Davis and the bees. The boys
were awful angry, as they had all they
could attend to and none of the fun.
When they got rid OF their tormentors,
more sorrowful-looking group never
rode into camp. Their eyes were
swelled shut, noses and ears world
too large for them. They lost conf
dence in Knight as a bee-hunter, and
he has not heard the last of it yet.
J. H. WooD.
kELso. Washington Territory.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30

having died off naturally, all have been
cleared away, and after hand-weedine the
entire plantation q good dressing will be
wheeled on some hard, frosty morning, and
% and BY, before renewed growth COM
mences In spring, We shall hope to give q
supplementary dressing of any kind of
manure that is available. Salt is an ex-
ceilent fertilizer for asparagus, but it is a
mistake to suppose that the plants cannot
be produced as we'll without it. I use salt
1or this crop, more especially for tho pre-
vention and obstruction of weeds, which.
by reason OF the thicket formed by the
asparagus stems, are apt to overrun the
ground, and, being out of sight, are liable
to escape destruction. The raised bed
fashion of growing asparagus seems to me
SO unnatural that one wonders why the
practice came into vogue. A plant that
above everything delights in q deep, rich
soil and an abundant Of moisture, so long
as such moisture is not of the nature of q
stagnant pool, is surely cruelty treated
when elevated a foot, and sometimes more,
above the ordinary ground level, with q
good part of the roots protruding from the
sides OF the beds, owing to the shoveling
put OF the orthodox alleys between every
tive rows Of plants. plant in fairly deep
trenches yard apart, and cover the crowns
to depth OF six inches, and rs the plant
gets older, the early top-dressing Of fresh
manure and soil keeps the crowns well
under the soil, and there being no alleys,
the roots have full run of the land without
liability to injure from exposure, as is the
case when the rows are dressed with the
soil taken from between the lines of
plants. The foregoing remarks, SO far as
concerns op-dressing, are only applicable
to young and permanent plots. To any
that are to be used for forcing during the
forthcoming season such top dressing is,
OF course, unnecessary.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30

The boys, however, desired q change
of diet occasionally, and would not
hesitate to infract the rules to pro-
cure it.
A couple of boys belonging to the
One Hundred and Twenty-fourth nli-
nois Infantry, while that regiment was
on march near Holly Springs, Miss,
had an amusing experience on a little
foraging trip. AS the train was slowly
jogging along, they made circuit
through the adjacent country to see if
they could not gather little proven
der. They rode for reveral miles
through the already over-foraged coun-
try without finding anything. At last
they reined up il front of an antiquated
frame cottage, where they learned
from an old negro that some pigs, a
few months old, had just been
"done cleaned" and he led the
way to where they were hang
ing. One of the boys took pig
and rolled it up in rubber blanket
and held it on in front of his saddle.
The other one captured sack of dried
apples, and off they started. The pig be-
ing newly dressed was reasonably slip
perry and difficult to carry across the
horses neck, and occasionally slipped
to the ground. The soldier with the
apples would strike the other horse,
which would make lunge, and of
would go the pig. After getting of
and reloading the pig several times, he
finally rode off and left it lying by the
side of the road. Becoming hungry
they made detour and got something
to eat at farm house, and hurried on
after the column. during the after
noon they fell in with an artillary mar
with two fresh hams tied together and
hanging across his horses neck. Or
being asked where he got them he re-
piled: "About half mile back yon.
der some blank fool tried to carry of
q whole hog, but failed, and left it lying
on the side of the road. He was evi
IDENTIFY raw recruit or he would have
known better than to steal more than
he could carry.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30
THE ORCHARD.
Wtneer-K.,,..g of Fruit Trees.


There is wide difference in the hardi-
ness of different varieties of fruit trees,
says the american AOriculturist. Some
varieties endure severe freezing better than
others. A variety that lives one winter
may die the next because of the changes
surrounding it; and so tender variety may
live when one naturally more hardy dies.
Sudden changes often work disastrously.
This was seen in the winter of 1854 in q
belt of country extending from New York
to Michigan. Qsince trees and pear trees
on ounce stocks were greatly injured by
rapid SUGGESTIONS of very warm and in
||tensely cold weather. The result was that
iInearly all the trees that we're not sheltered
were destroyed, or so weakened that they
continued to die till late in the summer.
and the sap, suddenly freezing, formed
little crystals in the wood, which lacerated
the fbers by every motion Of the swaying
trees. This cause may be supplemented
by such freezing and thawing of the
limbs and branches as dries the life out of
them. In all such cases the injury to
trees will be in proportion to the exposure,
and so the protection Of good wind breaks
is Of great Importance. In that memorable
season of such widespread loss those trees
that CHANGED to be sheltered from the winds
escaped. It was also observed that the
loss was not SO great with trees on clayey
soil that shed off the water as on sandy
soil that was filled with water.
A wise precaution against winter killing
in sections where there is danger is not to
cultivate late in the season. The culture
that stimulates late growth of soft wood
that does not ripen before the severity of
winter sets in is to be avoided. The i'm
mature wood is easily injured, the cells
are ruptured by freezing and thawing, and
the disorganized cells in spring are no
longer able to perform their Office. Sc
euro IN early growth of wood that will
ripen in time to be ready for all changes
of weather, and you will have comparative
aacuritv
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30
Flun0 it directly at the leaders, horse.

Polly listened calmly while he was
talking, and then said: II will call
my husband and get you something to
cal" AS she spoke she stepped back
few PAGES directly toward the bee
hives. Then, turning like flash. she
seized the nearest, whirled it over her
head, flung it directly at the leaders,
horse, and ran into the house.
The maddened bees Immediately be-
gan an assault against which swords
and carbines were no defense, and as
there was no controlling thelmaddened
horses, the only alternative was an ig-
nominious retreat. When Polly went
out to bid adieu to the Johnny Rebs, I"
only blue streak of profanity marked
the route of retreat.
The silver threads are now beginning
to show among the raven in Polly's
hair, but she enjoys telling the story
now as well as when she enjoyed the
thought that her ruse was so success
full, and that she had accomplished
more perhaps than would company of
men.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30

fore doing so he got friend to write
out all the orders he would have to
give. When he appeared upon the
scene he called out to the Orderly to
send the Adintant to him. Here are
my ORDERS said Polk, handing them
over to NE. Have them published.
They were published accordingly.
"The next day Major Polk was Or
dered to form squadron. He said to
me: My spur is off; l wish to put it
on. Give the order to put the squad
ron in motion L did os. Continue
to give orders, sir' shouted the Major.
The next day he began to read up on
military tactics. He read the first page
and took drink. Then he read the
second page and took another drink.
Finally he threw down the book and
exclaimed:
sAdiutant Viele, don't know a
d thing about it. My brother is
President of the United States. You
stick by me and tell me what to do,
and I'll see that you get quick promo
tionp
IL stuck TO the brother of the Presi-
dent"
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30

upheavals, the chaplain made it his
business to call ut the novels of these
mountaineers and investigate their So
cial condition. Noting very dilapi-
dated-looking cabin on the mountain
side, the chaplain rode up in front of
it, when half dozen tow-heads peered
around the door-frame at him. Among
the progeny was girl almost grown,
ragged, dirty, and devoid of feminine
adornments. being clothed in q sort o!
dirty frock and an old pair of butter
nut pants.
SHOW old are you?" inquired the
chaplain.
Dunno" she replied; FAX mother,
thare; 'spect she can tell yer"
did you ever attend school 2" she
was asked.
"Ne, never saw school. What is
it,"
"Can you read?" asked the chaplain.
"No, I can't read. Mebby I could
1earn-know some letters"
"Do you 60 to Sunday-school OF
church,"
"Wall. heard tell of Sunday and
church over by Big Land, but dunno
nuthen bout 'em."
"Do you know; who made you?" con.
tinued the chaplain.
Dunno who made me. AK mother
over thare. She knows more bout me
than I do, I guess.
"Don't you know that God made you
and made all things? Did no one ever
tell you of God and his goodness?"
"Hearn tell of God, but never saw
him. Did you ever see God? Guess
he never was around these parts" said
the girl, as she scratched her back
against the climb of the door and
peered at the chaplain through he,
frowzy hair.
As the chaplain moved away he.heard
the mother remark: "Bet my ivers
that's one OBJ dem fellers that preach te
the Yankev soldiers. Wouldn't been
safe fo' him to come up here TO- dc
Wah,"
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30

A PAINTED fence around the yard will
last longer than an implanted one and look
better at the same time.
IT has been claimed that 40 per cent. of
corn fodder is WASTED by feeding it whole,
as compared with cutting it.
In some sections sweet potato vines are
cured for fodder. They are claimed to be
good milk producing food.
SCIENTIFIC tests in Hungary show that
corn will produce the largest yield of milk
while sorghum produces milk Of the richest
quality.
An Albany syndicate that has been
formed to encourage the extirpation of the
English sparrow offers 81 per 100 for &c.
600 Of the birds.
A GENERAL burning of wheat stubble in
the chinch- bug districts will destroy
millions of germs now that will be voracious
bugs next summer.
EVERY weed occupies the space in which
some plant more valuable should be grow
Ing, and the farmer cannot afford to give
them the space they require.
One hundred dollars worth of cheese
takes from the farm less than one-seventh
the fertility taken BY $500 worth of grain,
while 800 worth of butter-if the skim
milk be fed on the farm-takes nothing
from the soil.
The old way Of picking apples in sack
is not the best. A basket is preferable,
and hook of some kind should befastened
to the handle by stout cord. The hook
would allow the basket to be hung on q
limb often, giving the picker the use Of
both hands.
Moss is the best Of all materials for
packing trees and plants, as it retains
moisture for long time and never heats.
Outside of the moss, however, which is put
next to the roots, considerable straw is
used, rye being the best for the purpose.
The straw prevents bruising.
FALL-MADE butter is always preferred
to that made in summer, because the
weather being cool the milk is kept at the
proper temperature to raise the cream in
the best condition, making butter of great
solidity, and the grasses that start after
the fall rains give it fine favor.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30
THE GARDEN.
I'0t0tOcS.

A method of keeping potatoes is thus de-
scribed in French paper: A large yes
sci of water is placed over the fire, and its
contents raised to the boiling point.
Washed potatoes are placed in basket or
net and quickly dropped into the water.
where they are kept for four seconds. Be-
fore fresh lot OF potatoes is immersed,
the water must be allowed to rise TO the
boiling point again. Each lot of tubers,
as soon as lifted out, is spread on the floor
of a we'll aired place to dry. When all
have been treated in this way they are
stored away in dry. cool place. There is
no tendency to terminate, and the pota-
toes will remain sound and well-Aavored
all through winter, spring, and summer
until the next crop comes in.
lSnar0dIS CNEf4re.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30
THE HOUSEHOLD.
HON. Much Hnouka Tier N,so,p

H0,c Mach should They N,so,c?
Which is the wiser, to keep the children
in such profound innocence of mind that
they are, absolutely without knowledge OF
evil until thrown into the world, or to pre-
pare them by degrees that such knowledge
NAV not come with sudden shock?
We often hear it asserted that very I'M
sophisticated youth on being thrown among
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30

poultry of different kinds, we were, as
the bows expressed it, continually try
ING to "strike" something new. l re.
member, one evening, several men OF
Wilder's Mounted Infantry had strayed
from the main line for the purpose OF
hunting something new to add to our
larder, and several hogs were seen on
the road: but as we had plenty of meat
We let them feed in peace. Finally, we
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30

Hints to HOtasc3eeepers.
A MUcH-woRN broom Is very hard on
the carpet.
IF possible, keep one .utensil sacred to
onions alone.
BREATHING the fumes of turpentine or
carbolic acid is said to relieve whooping-
cough.
CLAM broth is said to be. excellent for .
weak stomach, and ginger ale for stomach
cramps.
IF the stove is cracked, take wood ashes
and salt, equal proportions, reduced to q
paste with cold water, and fill in the cracks
when the stove is cool. It will soon harden.
HONEY sometimes has On onion flavor.
from the bees gathering from fields Of
onion seeds. If allowed to set few
weeks the unpleasant flavor will soon pass
off.
A STARCH superior. to. gloss starch for
calico and chambrey can be made of flour,
BY wetting the -four up with very warm
water day before you need the starch;
add boiling water. and cook when you want
to use it.
A CARPET, particularly q dark carpet,
often, looks dusty when it does not need
sweeping; wiring out sponge quite dry in
water Ia few. drops Of ammonia help
brighten the color, and wipe off the dust
from the carpet. This saves much labor
in sweeping.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30
No Honey for Supper.

FTER Sherman had
taken Atlanta and
started on his ever
to be remembered
march to the sea,
foraging soon be-
came the order Of
the day with most of
us. II OF satisfied
with fresh beef and
nork and often
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30
A wonan's Ruse.

;, A few years before the war, writes
n1erbert J. Tillspaugh in the National
]rsou'se, Polly McR-. with her
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30
Couldn't Garry the Whole Hog.

4 A N Y interesting
stories are related
\ of foraging expe-
lditions. In cestain
Contingencies til ey
were done at the or
der of the authori-
ties, but, as q gen.
eral thing. petty for
aging was in violation
of fine Qrmv rn1aa
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30
AND BAYoNErs,
,,my Scenes, Amusing Anecdotes, and
Interesting Incidents Of the
Late War.
,ody Battlss Buzxing BullseA Brisht
Rayonets, and Busgy
BedA
Peace.
BIZ IRENE HUNT.

Sweet odors flll the air:
The flowers arc heavenly fair:
Tho earth holds naught Of cara
For those who love.
Dark vapors MI the air:
The flowers are not there;
The earth holds naugnt but cara
For those who mourn.
With listening ear attend,
Angelic accents blend
With what the heart doth rend.
For those who trust,
Dark vapors fly away;
rho perfumed breezes play:
Flowers shine with starry ray,
For those who hope.
Then hope, and trust. aud love;
Lift terrified eyes above;
The peaceful white-winged dove
From heaven descends.
ID Housekeeping.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30
A Child OF Nature.

ltantS OF the mount
ain regions of the
South during the
war were found al
most in q state of
nature, very ignor-
amt and degraded.
On one occasion,
while our army was
croaainnnno Of fhoao
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-12-30

Anxkes gardner writes; The stems